Approximately 100 tons of confiscated diesel oil was received free of charge from Government Stores. It was frequently mixed with water.
Petrol and lubricating oils show an increase of about $9,000 on last year, due to increased costs.
80. Local purchases. These show a decrease of over $100,000 on last year despite big increases in prices during the last six months. In view of these price increases it was necessary to reduce local purchases to a minimum and stocks had to be reduced until such time as authority was received to increase the maximum balance of unallocated stores. This authority was received from the Secretary of State towards the end of the year.
But apart from these considerations, the purchase of stores locally continued with extreme caution in view of the unstable prices in the local market.
Steel, block tin, brass, zinc and copper were in big demand in the Colony and price increases ranged from 100 to 200%, whilst items of a general nature, e.g., cotton waste, electrical equipment, workshop small stores, etc., all took an upward trend. Timber was one of the few items to retain its level throughout the year.
81. Motor car. A new Austin A.40 car was purchased in April.
82. Government Stores. Purchases were about the same as last year. Stores have been obtained from this source whenever possible, subject to the price being cheaper than the department's price lists. It should be stressed that the department often receives a better discount by effecting payment within seven days.
83. Crown Agents. The year 1950/51 saw the arrival of 130 covered goods wagons and 5 bogie oil tank wagons from the United Kingdom. These items were mainly responsible for the increase in purchases from the Crown Agents. The principal items received and their approximate cost were as follows:
Rolling Stock.
Wagons, covered goods 44 met. ton 130 nos.
Wagons, bogie oil tank 45 met. ton 5 nos. ...
$5,277,000.00
280,317.67
Mechanical Engineer's Department.
Accumulators
Air Compressors
21
$
19,100.00
27,400.00
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